Two of Watford’s neighbouring towns have been named among the best places to live for 2026.
While the town itself failed to crack the top 20 in Garrington Property Finders’ annual ranking, despite coming in at number 13 in 2024, Bushey and Rickmansworth both featured.
Rickmansworth came in at number 19 while Bushey was 17th and, just a little further away, St Albans ranked third overall of all locations in England and Wales.
Although it did not make the main title, searching Watford through the interactive tool shows it placed 32nd of 1447 locations.
Breaking the scores into categories, Watford placed 46th for natural environment, 1147th for wellbeing, 322nd for heritage and culture, 38th for schools, employment, and connectivity, and 290th for house price quality and value.
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Meanwhile, Rickmansworth placed 420th for natural environment, 740th for wellbeing, 299th for heritage and culture, 143rd for schools, employment, and connectivity, and 99th for house price quality and value.
Bushey placed 348th for natural environment, 865th for wellbeing, 182nd for heritage and culture, 95th for schools, employment, and connectivity, and 194th for house price quality and value.
Marple, in Greater Manchester, took the top spot overall while Rawdon, near Leeds, came second.
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